Leadership Institutes

Leadership can be lonely, and teaming with peers can be an effective antidote to this isolation. Our role-alike institutes are designed to help you solve problems, foster improvement and apply best practices in a forum that is tailored to the unique demands of your job. Having the opportunity to work on specific challenges and needs with others who are experiencing similar circumstances is essential to job satisfaction, growth, and long term success.

Our Leadership Institutes include training and coursework with recurring round table meetings. These Institutes provide a unique opportunity to meet and collaborate with peers, and to work through challenges with ongoing support and coaching.

Meet Our Instructors

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these Institutes unique?

There are several strands that have emerged as key focal areas across all of our institutes:

The idea of leadership as influence. For us this means learning to switch our mindset away from the traditional notion of leaders as authority figures. Leaders must strive to better understand and manage themselves and others in order to identify the levers they can pull to influence change.

The concept of using frameworks and protocols to address problems, rather than looking for quick fixes. Leaders must be disciplined in their approach to problem solving, and not succumb to 'solutionitis'. Effective leaders spend their energy strategizing instead of firefighting.

The need for balance—not just life balance, but striking the balance between technical and adaptive leadership. Leaders must learn to identify what type of issue they face. In particular, knowing whether they have the answers and are equipped to resolve a problem in a quick manner (technical), or whether they need a more studied approach (adaptive). Navigating all types of situations while staying consistently true to core values is the sign of a strong leader.

The challenge and opportunity of leading from the middle in a manner that is at once responsive to those one supervises and also those to whom one reports. Successful leaders understand the critical nature of building a culture that is founded in trust and strong relationships.

What does the model consists of?

Role Alike CohortsInstitutes are role-alike, cohort-based and meet over an extended period of time. Each cohort provides a forum to reinforce each other; a place where individuals are safe to share their challenges. As a result, participants develop a strong professional network and synergy that lasts well beyond the institute.

Expert Experienced Instructors Institutes are led by co-instructors who have deep expertise and experience in these roles. The instructors are seasoned facilitators and coaches who can share their perspective while simultaneously developing the capacity and understanding of each individual.

Skill and Knowledge BuildingInstitute training is designed to build the skills and knowledge-base that leaders need most, when they most need it. Participants learn to move beyond their title and newly donned mantle, to use frameworks and best practices to identify effective solutions.

Roundtables for Problem Solving & Coaching Every leader benefits from opportunities to experience authentic in-the-moment problem-solving protocols; to be challenged to consider issues from different perspectives; to be asked good questions that unearth new ideas; and to use core principles to guide their thinking and decision-making. During roundtable sessions, instructors affirm that the work is hard - and at times scary - then help participants think critically, sharpen their plans, and be accountable to intended actions. Arrive with "what is keeping you up at night", and walk away with practical, thoughtful and tested ideas.

Learn more about our Leadership Institutes

Learn more about our Institutes for Principals' Think Tank, Superintendents' Round Table and Women in Leadership

Learn more about our Institutes for Teacher Leadership and Curriculum Coordinators/Department Heads

Learn more about our Institutes for First Year Principals and Assistant Principals